Structural damage, Biofouling, and Regulatory Biosecurity Compliance
We provide photos and videos high-resolution close inspection records of your boat/ship hull and engine exteriors while in the water without the needs of dry docking. Ships and boats that remain in water for extended periods of time are susceptible to cosmetic and structural damages, including fouling of ships' hulls and clogging of intake pipes that could impact the safety, performance and longevity of your vessel.
Transom, rudders, shafts, hinge, propeller/thrusters, chimes/sea chest, sacrificial anode, and through-hull fittings are typically inspected for physical defects, biofouling, cracks, surface discoloration, and water intrusion
The buildup of algae, barnacles, and marine invertebrates on propellers, hull, thrusters, and water intakes is the primary vector for the introduction of invasive species.
Studies show that leisure vessels have a high capacity to transport species that are not yet established in the marinas they visit, effectively turning boats into moving hubs for invasive species spread and establishment. If a vessel sits in a port with ideal conditions (low currents, lack of natural predators), these invasive species can spawn multiple times within days, establishing permanent foreign populations that outcompete native marine life.
Why Inspections Matter
Pre & Post-Charter Inspection: With Instant digital turn-in reports, MARES can provide video record of running gear (props, rudders, shafts, keels) before and after boat rent to asses hull and gear conditions, and potential liabilities and insurance claims.
Regulatory and Biosecurity Enforcement: With the increased ecological risks of invasive species (such as invasive sea squirts, fan worm, or various Caulerpa species) invasion and establishment, ports are tightening rules on incoming traveling boats. Vessels arriving with heavy macrofouling face entry denials or severe fines.
MARES ROV “Green Passport” Service: To comply with current European maritime standards, such as the international biofouling anti-invasive species regulations IMO RESOLUTION MEPC.378 (80), leisure vessels require certified "clean hull" documentation before entering sensitive eco-marinas.
MARES ROV service can provide boat captains with an organized Biofouling Record Book (BFRB) Inspection Report, featuring a geo-tagged 4K video link in hours. Vessel captains can use this official documentation to prove biosecurity compliance to port authorities and to verify the condition of their hulls for insurance or charter handovers.
